What is the NFL Draft?

The 2021 event takes place in Cleveland, Ohio and will kick off on Thursday, Apr. 29 and run through Saturday, May 1. The NFL Draft has seven rounds and all 32 clubs will participate in the event, drafting players from college football schools.

Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence is the odds-on favorite to be the top pick of the 2021 NFL Draft. (AP)

Who will be the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft?

Quarterback Joe Burrow went first to the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2020 Draft as he led LSU past Clemson for the National Championship. Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence has taken the Tigers to a pair of National Championship appearances in 2018 and 2019, including knocking off Alabama in 2018 for the title. Lawrence is expected to not only be the Heisman Trophy favorite in 2020, but also walk across the stage as the top selection of the 2021 NFL Draft. The 20-year old signal-caller has thrown for 66 touchdowns and only 12 interceptions in his first two seasons, while leading Clemson to an impressive 25-1 record as a starter.

2021 NFL Draft Contenders

Justin Fields

After transferring to Ohio State from Georgia prior to the 2019 season, Fields led the Buckeyes to a perfect 12-0 regular season record. The Ohio State quarterback helped the Buckeyes capture the Big 10 championship by throwing three touchdown passes in a 34-21 victory over Wisconsin. Fields posted incredible numbers by tossing 41 touchdown passes with only three interceptions in Ohio State's 13 wins. However, he was picked off twice in the College Football Semifinals in a 29-23 defeat to Clemson, but Fields is expected to be a high draft pick in 2021 as well as a Heisman Trophy contender this season.

Penei Sewell

Since 1998, only two offensive linemen have selected with the first pick of the NFL Draft (Jake Long in 2008 and Eric Fisher in 2013). Sewell, the 2019 Outland Trophy winner (which recognizes the top interior lineman in college football), has allowed one sack in two seasons at Oregon, while the Ducks are 17-3 when he is in the starting lineup. It will be tough for Sewell to pass Lawrence for the top slot in the 2021 NFL Draft, unless the team that finishes with the number one selection needs offensive line help and not a quarterback.

D'Eriq King

The explosive quarterback who transferred from the University of Houston to play for the Miami Hurricanes is garnering attention behind Lawrence and Fields. King still has to win the starting quarterback job in Coral Gables, as his best season came in 2018 at Houston by throwing 36 touchdown passes in 11 games before suffering a knee injury. Last season, King played in only four games for the Cougars as he announced he was redshirting following Houston's 1-3 start to the season.